The office buzzed with its usual rhythm, phones ringing, keyboards clacking, the faint hum of chatter floating in the air. Sara stepped in, holding Zayn in her arms, his curious eyes darting around the familiar yet strange place.
"Oh my god, look who's back!" Selena's one of her team members excited voice that echoed across the floor. She rushed over, her eyes wide with delight. "Sara! Where have you been? It's been months! We thought you left the company for good."
Sara smiled softly. "I was caught up with something really important," she replied, her tone calm and gentle.
Selena smiled and asked, "Is this your boy?" looking at Zayn, who was holding onto his mom's shirt tightly.
"Hello, buddy," she said kindly.
Zayn hid in Sara's arms, and Sara smiled. "Say hello, baby," she said softly.
Zayn mumbled a shy "hello."
Selena chuckled. "He's so cute! Look at his eyes, they're so pretty."
One of the team members added, "Yeah, his eyes look just like our director's. Rare and beautiful."
Sara's heart skipped a beat. She smiled awkwardly and said, "Guys, I should get back to work. see you later." Then she walked quickly into her cabin.
Inside, she noticed how beautifully it had been arranged; there was even a small corner made just for Zayn to play in. She smiled and sat down in her chair with Zayn on her lap.
"Mumma, are you staying with me?" Zayn asked.
"Yes, baby. You'll be with me here all the time," she said, pinching his cheeks gently.
He giggled happily.
Kairo walked into the room with a mischievous smile and locked the door behind him.
Sara looked up, frowning. "What are you doing here?"
He grinned. "Obviously, I came to see my wife and son," he said, walking closer.
"Are you serious? We're in the office. Behave," she warned, but he ignored her completely and scooped Zayn into his arms.
"Come here, my boy. Let's play for a bit, I already missed you," he said sweetly. Zayn smiled and went along without any protest.
Sara glared at him. "Do you hear me, Kairo?"
"I hear you, soda glass," he teased with a smirk. "Let me play with him for a while, then I'll come to you."
Sara sighed. "This is an office, you're supposed to work, not babysit."
He turned to her with that signature grin. "This is my office. I'm the boss. I can do whatever I want."
She crossed her arms. "At this rate, you're going to end up bankrupt."
Kairo looked at her again, those sharp green eyes piercing right through her soul. Before she could say anything, he suddenly grabbed her chair and pulled it toward him in one swift jerk, making her flinch. Then, without hesitation, he tugged her down onto his lap.
"You talk too much, Soda Glass," he murmured, his voice low and teasing. "I've got a limit to how much nonsense I can listen to."
Sara gasped softly, her breath catching as he leaned in closer, his forehead resting against hers. "Don't be rebellious all the time," he whispered, his breath brushing against her lips. "You make me go wild when you do that…"
Her heart was thumping so loud she was sure he could hear it.
Zayn, who had been quietly watching from the side, suddenly frowned and stepped closer. His little face was scrunched with confusion, and maybe fear. Then, without warning, he stood up and came near to Sara, pushed Kairo's face away, and wrapped his small arms around her, holding her tightly as if to protect her.
Kairo looked at him, momentarily taken aback. Those tiny eyes were glaring at him, silently warning him to stay away from his mother.
A slow smile spread across Kairo's face. "You little soldier… I'm not hurting your mumma," he said softly.
Sara tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip slightly. "Where are you running, darling?" he teased.
"Leave me, asshole," she snapped, shoving him away and pulling Zayn closer. The boy clung to her neck, glaring at Kairo from her arms.
Kairo laughed, clearly amused by his son's overprotectiveness. "Come here, you little brat," he said, reaching for Zayn.
But Zayn refused, hiding his face in Sara's shoulder, shaking his head.
Kairo chuckled, trying to pull him anyway. "I'm her husband, you little punk. She belongs to me before you," he said in mock seriousness.
Zayn lifted his head just enough to glare at him and replied without hesitation, "She's my mumma first. You came later."
Sara couldn't help but smile at the two of them. Kairo smiled too, looking at Zayn with mock seriousness.
"I know, baby boy," he said softly. "But remember, you promised me that you'd let me love your mumma a little, and in return, I'd get you lots of toys."
Zayn stared at him blankly.
Kairo leaned in, still smiling. "You even told me that you love me."
Zayn frowned, his lips curling in confusion. "I don't remember saying that."
Sara burst into laughter. She laughed so hard she almost lost balance, eventually sliding down to the floor, clutching her stomach. Her laughter echoed through the room, bright and uncontrollable.
Kairo looked utterly betrayed. "You know I made you, you little brat!" he said, trying to sound stern but failing miserably.
Zayn turned to him, completely serious. "Mumma made me."
Sara laughed even harder, rolling on the floor now, tears forming in her eyes.
Kairo looked between the two of them, his son, his wife, half-annoyed, half-melting. "You're my son, baby…" he tried again, his voice softening this time.
Zayn squinted at him skeptically.
"I'm your dada," Kairo said, placing a hand over his chest. "Your father."
Zayn wriggled off his lap and immediately ran toward Sara, hugging her leg tightly. "Mumma," he said in a small voice.
Kairo froze for a second. His playful smile faded just a little. He looked at them, the woman he loved and the little boy who still didn't fully understand who he was. His lips parted into a pout as a dull ache spread in his chest.
It stung more than he expected, how Zayn still wouldn't call him Dad. Maybe the boy didn't even know what that word really meant. But still… it hurt.
Sara noticed it, that tiny flicker of hurt in Kairo's eyes. She gently pulled Zayn closer, pressing a soft kiss on his head. Then, she reached out and held Kairo's hand.
"He's small," she said softly. "It'll take time for him to adjust. Don't worry."
Kairo looked at her, forcing a small smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. His gaze shifted back to Zayn, who was peeking at him from the safety of his mother's arms.
Kairo smiled again, trying to hide the sadness in his chest. "Come here, my boy… don't you want to play with me?" he asked, his voice light but gentle.
Zayn hesitated.
Sara bent down to his level and said in a calm, warm voice, "Go, baby… isn't he your best friend?"
Zayn looked up at her, still unsure. She smiled and tucked his hair behind his ear. "Go, baby. Play with him. Mumma has to work now."
After a moment, Zayn nodded. He leaned forward, kissed her cheek softly, and turned to Kairo."Okay… I'll play with you," he said in his tiny, serious voice. "But she's my mumma. Only mine."
Kairo immediately raised his hands and nodded, pretending to look terrified. "Yes, my lord. I won't even look at her when you're around," he said dramatically, holding his ears in surrender.
Zayn squinted like a little commander. "Come."
Kairo's eyes widened at the tone; his son was already giving him orders. Sara burst into laughter again, unable to hold it in.
Kairo, playing along, obediently followed his little boss and went to play with him.
Sara smiled at the sight, her heart full, before turning back to her desk. She glanced one last time at them: Kairo crawling on the floor, Zayn giggling loudly as they played together.
The room felt lighter, filled with warmth, laughter, and the quiet rhythm of a family finding its way back together.
After playing for a while, Zayn's energy finally started to fade. His tiny eyelids grew heavy as he yawned softly. Kairo noticed it right away and gently scooped him up, settling him on the small bed in the corner. He sat beside him, patting his back in a slow rhythm until Zayn's breathing turned steady. Leaning down, Kairo kissed his forehead and smiled, that soft, rare kind of smile he reserved only for his family.
Sara watched them from her desk, warmth filling her chest. "Done playing?" she asked quietly.
Kairo looked over his shoulder and hummed, still smiling. "He's done," he said in a low voice, standing up, stretching his arms. Then his smirk turned mischievous. "But I'm not… It's time to play with Mommy now."
Sara gave him a look. "Don't even think about it."
But Kairo was Kairo, impossible, stubborn, and absolutely shameless. He walked up to her, pulled her chair slightly, and, before she could react, sat right on her lap.
"Get off, asshole, you're heavy," she hissed, glaring at him.
He leaned in, removed her glasses, and eyes locked onto hers with that familiar, dangerous smirk. "My girl's strong," he murmured, voice dropping lower. "I know she can handle me."
She bit her lips, flustered. Just his gaze made her heart flutter. His eyes drifted to her lips… and then back up to her eyes. He leaned in, aiming to capture her mouth, but she pressed her hands to his chest.
"This is the office, idiot," she whispered.
He ignored her completely. "I don't care," he murmured and kissed her anyway. She couldn't help but melt into it. When he pulled back,
"Fuck… I wish I could fuck you right here, right now," he whispered, low and shameless.
She slapped him lightly. "Keep your ass in control, fuckboy," she scolded, though there was a hint of a smile in her voice.
He nuzzled her neck, placing soft, teasing kisses. "I can't… you're too tempting to control myself," he admitted.
She bit her lip, holding back a laugh, and rubbed his back. "You're heavy, asshole… my thighs are going numb," she said sweetly.
He chuckled, eyes mischievous. "I wish I could numb them other ways…"
She smacked his back. "If you keep acting like this, I'll work from home tomorrow."
He grinned and leaned back slightly, looking at her. "Then I'll work from home too. No worries, no interruptions… I can kiss you whenever I want."
She smiled, and he leaned in again, but just then, a knock came at the door.
Kairo groaned and closed his eyes in frustration. Sara laughed. "Get off! Somebody's here!"
He grumbled, finally getting off her lap and straightening his suit. Sara fixed her dress and hair, trying not to laugh. Kairo went to open the door.
Ben was at the door.
"What's up, Ben?" Kairo asked.
"Sorry for disturbing you, sir… but the chairman is here," Ben said slowly. "He's waiting in your cabin, asking for you."
Kairo closed his eyes, exasperated, completely done. "Okay… I'll be back in five minutes," he muttered.
Ben nodded, and Kairo turned to Sara.
"Who is it?" she asked, curiosity and nerves rising.
"My father is here," he said quietly. Her heart skipped a beat.